Mrs. RISLOV!!!

Well...I am back and happy to report that I survived the big day!!! Everything went PERFECTLY!!! Who would have guessed?!? I am a firm believer that my anal retentive over-planning helped the cause! But seriously, I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. Here are a few pictures of our wedding day.

I felt so wonderful the whole day, and the best part about it...I didn't think about my weight once. Writing that actually makes me a little teary-eyed...WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ME??? Looking back just one year ago, I would have never expected to be so comfortable with my body, and myself in general. I can honestly tell you that I felt beautiful on my wedding day!

The next day Jay and I drove back to Omaha (ugh!), so that we could get up at 2:30 AM on Monday to get to the airport for our flight to JAMAICA!!! I have NEVER been so excited to get on a plane in my life!

We had so much fun, and for the first time in a year I didn't even think about what I put in my mouth...in fact I think I probably ate way more than I normally would because I knew after 7 short days I would have to get back on the wagon!!! While my first weigh-in after the honeymoon SUCKED (up 7.7 lbs!), I will tell you that it was TOTALLY WORTH IT!!! I am slowly but surely getting back into my routine and plan to lose the weight that I gained, and hopefully a little more.

That in itself is amazing to me...had I gained that much weight in the past, I would have simply given up and gone back to my fatty-ways. I know that I am a changed person because even though it is a constant struggle for me to manage my weight, I know it is worth it.

Pre-Wedding Post

So peeps...the wedding day countdown is now below two weeks and honestly....I feel pretty good. I have over analyzed every single detail to death, and with the help of my friends and family I can honestly say I am as prepared as any bride could be at this point!

It was about this time last year that I realized that my weight had gotten completely out of control. While I had probably had the realization in the past, this time I actually was ready to do something about it. I vowed to make a change after Jay and I returned from our vacation to Vegas. I am so blessed that I found the Weight Management group at Alegent as well as the HRM plan. I would like to say that I could have done this on my own, but historical evidence would disagree.

Although I have set many weight-related goals along the way, I had hoped to get down to my ultimate weight of 165 before the wedding. I didn't quite make it, but I am still happy with my results and plan on getting there sometime this winter. I guess I technically still have 11 days to go.....nah, I'll take the hit on this one!

Anyway, I know I don't have a huge following (two I believe!), but you have supported me long before I started this blog, and I have no doubt you will be with me far into the future, so Thank You!!!

Teri (soon to be Rislov!)

Still Going Strong...

Well the past weeks have definitely been a challenge to say the least! I had a bridal shower, thrown my my mother-in-law back in Thief River, followed by a bachelorette party and shower thrown by my wonderful Maid of Honor Laurie. While these festivities were AMAZING and some of the most fun I have had in quite some time (see blog pic!), they did take a toll on the scale. BOO!

In the recent 3 weeks I have put on 3.2 lbs, which most people would agree isn't life or death...and I would tend to agree. However, I now am beginning to realize how slippery the slope of American eating can be!

While in phase one I never wavered...never cheated...never went "out of the box." Now in phase two, I am struggling with all of the temptations that surround us in the world of food. I feel like a shark that had it's first taste of blood....FEEDING FRENZY!!!! Seriously, this is much harder than I expected. I have tried to go back "in the box," meaning eating nothing but HMR approved entrees, shakes and fruits and vegetables, but now having been reintroduced to "real food" it seems impossible. So how am I coping? Well, to be honest...I'm not! haha! No, I am continuing to eat entrees and shakes and fruits and vegetables, hoping that the more of those that I eat, the less other food I will want. Some days it works....some days it doesn't. It's going to be a lifetime balance that I will just have to find along the way.

Alcohol...how I've missed you!!! This challenge has proven to be harder than I expected. I don't necessarily find the urge to get completely smashed every weekend with mass amounts of Bacardi Diets (former BFF!), but I now have the constant desire for a glass of wine. Like, seriously...EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! And many of you may say, "The American Heart Association says drinking one glass of red wine is actually good for your heart." To that I must say....DON'T TEMPT ME DEVIL WOMAN! I have absolutely no off-button when it comes to wine. I have tried....many.....many times, with no success. I consume wine in bottle increments instead of glasses, so if I am having wine, I better hope there is only one bottle in the house!

What I am taking away from this is that I am not immune to gaining every single pound I have lost back...and if I want to avoid that fate, I need to find some balance. Or I need to invest all of the time that I am not drinking and eating to running my fat ass off!

20 Worst Drinks in America 2010

Interesting Article if you have time to read. We discussed this last night in my phase two class. I was amazed to learn that over half of the calories that children in our country comsume come from BEVERAGES!!! Weight loss is hard enough when you are just talking about food...why put drinks into the mix?!? Well, unless it is the weekend of your bachelorette party.....2 WEEKS BABY!!!

http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slideshow/20-worst-drinks-america-2010

Traveling Woes

I realize that since I have begun phase two I haven't been posting as much as I used to. There is a reason for that...I just haven't figured it out yet! :) Honestly, I don't want to bore you with the foods that I am eating and perhaps I don't want to divulge the foods that I have been over-eating! The short version of the tale is that I have been trying new foods every day, and it is a constant challenge to not go back to my old eating habits. However, I am still losing weight so I am assuming that means that I am beginning to find that healthy lifestyle that all the skinny people talk about! THE PROMISE LAND!

This past week I spent a few days in California for work. The sunshine state always lives up to it's reputation, but I had forgotten how easy it is to over-indulge on the company's dime! lol! For some reason, when I travel for work it strangely feels like I am on vacation. And when you are on vacation you most definitely shouldn't be on a diet, right??? The Epply Airfield is the airport in Omaha, and I knew from past experience that they had plenty of fruit for purchase in the terminal. What I didn't realize was how hard it can be to find the same healthy snacks at other airports. Maybe I was blinded by all the candy, but I couldn't find fruit or veggies at either the Sky Harbor in Phoenix or the Ontario airport..............WTF? I did my best, and paid $15 for a salad at TGIF to Go, and removed half of the ingredients on my plate!

I do take partial blame, as I should have planned ahead and had some of my HMR bars on hand! That is one of the most important things I have learned in phase two; planning ahead is key!!!

On another note, I tried VERY hard to work out while on the road but to my disappointment I was asked to stop running by the manager of the hotel I was staying at. I WAS PISSED! Maybe it was because it was 4AM in California, or maybe it was because their "cardio center" was a small room on the third floor with 1 treadmill and a POS StairMaster, but I was still upset. I had asked about the hours that I would be able to use the cardio room, and was told that I could go in there whenever I wanted. Oh well. Life goes on. I also attempted to walk at the Ontario Mall, but found that the kiosk vendors were much more aggressive than their Midwest counterparts. I did one lap and found myself to be a proud owner of a wet to dry hair straightener that retailed for $300, but I picked up for under $150....with the vendor's "manager discount!" WOW! I decided to stop walking at that point and go into the Coach store where I worked out my wallet!!! :)

Freedom...not quite ready for it!

So...I have officially been let off the "HMR leash," and to be honest with you I didn't handle it as well as I would have hoped.

Last week I was told by my health educator, that I could incorporate other foods into my diet on an "experimental basis." I'm not exactly sure what that means, but I don't think I did it quite right.

I began by having 1 cup of 2% milk with my fruit...not bad right? The next day we went to a salad bar, and the only non-veggie items that I incorporated were 1 hard boiled egg and probably less than 2 oz of blue cheese. I also substituted an entree for a cup of white chicken chili....still not too bad.

Well then Saturday came....and to be honest with you, I went into the day with a plan. I was going to have 6 oz of salmon for dinner. And I did, however as I was cleaning out Jay's snack cupboard, I made the mistake of trying one of his honey cinnamon almonds. I'm not lying when I say this, my mind went to a very scary place. All of a sudden I was popping almonds in my mouth one after another...I finally had to dump them in the garbage and pour my salmon juice on them to keep me from picking them out of the trash! HOW SAD IS THAT!!! I probably had about 2 oz of almonds, but that's not the point. I never thought I would go back to that place, and I totally did.

The next day's strategy included sampling some of the cravings I have been having, in small portions so that (hopefully) the craving would be fulfilled and I wouldn't want it anymore. So, I had a piece of bread with peanut butter on it, and felt pretty successful about the outcome...I wasn't crouched in a dark corner with the jar of peanut butter clutched in my hand, scraping the remains out with my finger or anything like that. Later that day, while having to watch Jay eat mass amounts of Reese's, Heath, and cookie dough ice cream, I felt as if my best strategy would be to eat some frozen fat free Cool Whip....WELL I ATE THE WHOLE CONTAINER!!! And the sad thing...I still wanted ice cream, so yesterday I allowed myself 1 cup of ice cream and I now feel as though that craving has past.

I know this hasn't been the most exciting post, and I am too embarrassed to post pictures of me stuffing food into my pie hole, but I believe it is necessary to share the good and the bad. This week has been an extremely challenging week, and I feel as though I have never had a closer bond with my treadmill, but I am learning from it, and hopefully will be stronger each day because of it! Wish me luck!

Oh, by the way, I was down 2.7 lbs last week.....putting me 3.8 lbs away from my wedding goal weight.

Crunch Time!

I have to first apologize for being lazy with my posts recently....it has been for lack of effort in the program, but rather for an increased level of anxiety around my quickly approaching wedding and all the things that go along with it!

I have been in phase two for 4 weeks now, and have been able to introduce lean protein (as posted previously), whole grains, and probably most importantly....FROZEN MEALS! What does this mean? I am now able to substitute the HRM shelf stable meals for branded frozen meals like Healthy Choice, Smart Ones and Lean Cuisine. This has been a double edged sword for me, as these meals taste much better, but I am now having to call on my willpower which has often failed me in the past....hence my fatty period (that is what I am naming the past 10 years of my life!).

So, beyond having to grapple with my less-than-stellar self-control, I am now in the thick of wedding planning, which I am absolutely sure is making my hair fall out! There are parties, and decorations, and dresses, and fittings, and shoes, and gifts, and tablecloths, and BUDGETING! I HATE BUDGETING!!! Not to mention that I recently went to a wedding (which is totally my jam!), with an open bar (oh yea!), and COULD NOT DRINK!!! I drove drunk people home until 2AM, and I don't want to do it again!

This was also the first 4th of July in many...MANY years that I have been sober. I guess it was kind of fun to be conscious for the fireworks, but I became fully aware of little things that I would have normally not given a second thought to. Example: mosquitos! Yes readers, I am complaining about mosquitos in Nebraska! Now I know how funny this is to anyone who is from Minnesota, but this just illustrates my point. Back when I was able to drink, I would have probably been so numb from my eyelids down that I wouldn't have even realized that there was a flock of bugs sucking my will to live. Being sober blows, and I doubt there is anyone who can convince me otherwise. I am anxiously awaiting the 14th of August as that will be my re-entry back into the world of alcohol. Ahhhh....bachelorette party.....I cannot WAIT!

Just an update...I am officially 6.5 lbs away from my wedding goal weight! Will I make it???

Weight Management Ambassador Program

I have recently volunteered to take part in the newly-formed Weight Management Ambassador Program at Alegent Health, and in true Teri-fashion, I am nervous to the point of uncontrollable vomiting!

The anxiety is coming from my deep-rooted insecurities that I am still working to improve. When I stand up in front of a group of people I still feel like they are staring at me for all the wrong reasons. Get over it, right! And that is exactly what I intend to do. I am no guru when it comes to public speaking, but if nothing else participating in this program will help. Grant, my health educator, made a good point when I expressed my anxiety. He said that the people I will be talking to won't be concerned about how well I am speaking, they will be concerned about finding out how I was successful in the program. I intend to do my best and hopefully my story can help someone who is struggling, or has questions, or is unsure about their ability to reach their weight loss goals.

Anyway, wish me luck!

PHASE two....oh chicken...how I've missed you!!!

Well my friends....the day has FINALLY come! I am officially in phase two of the HMR Weight Management Program!!! Last week I attended my last class in phase one, which was bitter sweet for me. I had a great weight loss, and surpassed my 80 lbs lossed goal, but it was hard to say goodbye to all the people who have been with me for the past 8 months.

With the entrance to phase two, comes the re-introduction of "real food." This week my assignment was to sample a measured portion of lean protein. I chose 6 oz of grilled chicken. I know this is super dorky, but I had to document my first bite!

My first phase two meal was a salad comprised of spinach leaves, cucumbers, avocados, GRILLED CAYENNE CHICKEN, with a little fat free ranch dressing and buffalo sauce. Approximately 550 calories, and yes, it was all I have been dreaming of and more! haha!

you need to see where you were to understand how far you've come...

Here are just a few pics of me at my heaviest...it's hard for me to look at but also very helpful. The sad thing is that I thought I looked pretty good in all these pics! haha! Anyway, enjoy a walk down fatty-memory lane!

Oct. 2009

June 2009

July 2008

Sept 2007

April 2007

New Years: 2007

Dec. 2006

Who is this person????

For as long as I can remember I have had a very negative opinion of summer. To put it mildly, I hated it! I could never wear shorts because my legs looked like tree trunks...I never wore dresses because, well, I'm just not that awesome. And the thought of wearing a swimming suit anywhere with the possibility of human contact gave me the shits!

Well here we are...June 9th and well into the summer weather and guess what? I F*CKING love it!!! Without the overwhelming insecurities that used to hold me back I am now enjoying the above freezing temperatures! I run outside all the time (what???), play catch with Jay in the back yard, walk frequently at the zoo, and even sport my swimming suit for some sun bathing from time to time.

I also made some recent clothing purchases for our upcoming honeymoon in Jamaica....all things I would have never considering wearing last year at this time. Here are some actions shots for your ass...haha! You will quickly notice that I have one pose...that's pretty much it!

Happy Summer!

P.S. Sorry for the greasy hair in this one...post work out shot!

Phase II thoughts

Last week I officially paid for my last month of classes in phase one, and I will be moving into phase two of the HMR program on June 17th!

This is an exciting, and terrifying, time for me. Phase two consists of attending weekly meetings with weigh-ins as before, however I will now begin to reintroduce healthy foods back into my diet. These foods will consist of whole grains, low fat dairy and lean protein.

The last 7 months has made me realize that I have an addiction to food...I'm not being dramatic here, I truly believe that there are many people in this world who have addictive personalities and each has their own vice....alcohol, drugs, sex. etc. Mine is food. It is embarrassing for me to admit, but acceptance is the first step to recovery...hahaha! Okay that was dramatic!

All kidding aside, the thought of being able to eat "regular" food scares the living shit out of me! You wouldn't put an alcoholic, who just went through 8 months of rehab, into a bar and tell him that he can just have one drink....but that is how this feels to me. I have cleansed my body of all the bad food and have lost a bunch of weight, under a very strict program. Now I will be eating foods that I haven't had in close to a year, and having to limit my intake (which I clearly have had a problem with in the past, hence the need for HMR).

I don't want to return to my old habits, and gain the weight back so I am very nervous but also very excited for the support system in phase two. There are classes full of people who have gone through the same things I am going through and have succeeded. I was also asked to join the Alegent Health Weigth Management Ambassador Program, where I will be able to share my weight loss journey with people who are considering the program or need an extra level of support while in the program.

It is a very scary world out there when you consider all of the food choices you have, and how little we truly know about what we are putting into our mouths. I'm hoping as I enter phase two I have the willpower to make the right decisions and stay on track.

Wish me luck!

My new edition!

As stated in my last post I recently hit the 180 lb goal that I had set at the beginning of my weight loss journey. So what does this mean? A reward!!!

I have my own personal weight loss tracker which includes all of the goals that I set, along with the rewards I planned for myself. To date, I have achieved 4 of the goals, but haven't given myself the "real" reward. Here is the list:

Goal 1: Lose 25 lbs

Planned Reward: Get a spa treatment

Actual Reward: bought spa treatments at Target and did them myself at home...boo!

Goal 2: Lose 40 lbs

Planned Reward: Plan a dinner with Brook

Actual Reward: Planned a dinner with Brook that still hasn't happened (because I am still in phase 1)

Goal 3: Get below 200 lbs

Planned Reward: Plan a vacation

Actual Reward: We took a vacation to AZ to see Jay's parents, but this had been planned long before I reached my goal.

So here I am....Goal 4: Get to goal weight of 180 lbs. The planned reward..."buy something expensive!"

I have been going back and forth on what to buy, if I should buy anything, should I buy something for both Jay and I, should I buy something functional..blah, blah, blah! Today I bit the bullet! The decision has been made and here it is:

I LOVE IT!!!! I ordered it today and paid the insane express delivery charge and it should be in my arms by tomorrow night! :D

Goal....Achieved!!!

A mere 190 days ago I started my journey on the HMR program and I set a goal for myself to get to 180 lbs. Well, on Wednesday I achieved this goal!!! I weighed in at 179.1 lbs!

I had thought that once I reached this weight I would go into phase II, however after discussing my options with my Health Educator, I decided that I will commit to another 6 weeks to see how much more weight I can lose.


In addition to this, Jay and I got our first glimpse of the engagement pictures we had taken last weekend. We couldn't have been happier and can't wait to see all the pics. Below is the link if you want to see our photographer's blog:


http://www.shawnanoel.net/

What weighs 70 lbs?

After hitting the magic 70 lbs lost marker last night I have been on a quest to find things that weigh 70 lbs, to assist my brain in visualizing what is now gone from my body. Some are hilarious...others kind of gross, but please enjoy a list of things that weigh 70 lbs with me.

This anchor...if you are feeling deep, there is a great analogy here.....wait for it......ahhh!

Seventy lbs of hash...or has Jay would call it, "the stickiest of the icky." Not really sure what that means, and I don't think he really does either.

Nicole Riche...although word on the street is she is up to like 90-something now. EAT A BURGER!

These punching bags each weigh 70 lbs....I'd like to smack my fat around every once and a while...wait that sounded dirty! lol
This one was just funny to me...the shipping weight of this "toilet" was 70 lbs. Toilet....really? Isn't that just pvc pipe, some mesh, and a bucket on wheels?!?

There are apparently people out there who purposefully add 70 lbs to their body....this is the apparatus that would help you do that. WTF? I don't get the concept?

And lastly...this huge fucking fish is 70 lbs!!! NASTY!

I hope you have enjoyed this illustration of "Things that weigh 70 lbs!"

Teri

6 Months...that's half of a year people!!!

Last week I celebrated my 6th month on the HMR program with a 2.2 lb loss. This was a very satisfying loss as the past few weeks have been fairly light losses that could have been gains had I not stopped off at the bathroom before jumping on the scale! :) While I am still suffering from "fat brain" (e.i. where you don't see the physical changes that are happening and you still see yourself as fat), more than 1 person yesterday said that they didn't even recognize me! It's strange to hear comments like that, but nice at the same time. I'm hoping someday soon my brain catches up with my body so I can really see the change in my body.

In the last week, Jay and I made the trip down to Arizona to see his parents who are renting a home in Surprise. The weekend was full of sun, fun, and lots of wedding talk! One of my favorite things, was a lemon tree that they had growing in their back yard. I am trying to figure out a way to grow one in our house, as I don't think that tree could handle the midwest weather!

Another activity we took part in was the NASCAR Fresh Fit 600!!! I couldn't believe how fun it was to embrace my white trash roots! After seeing some of the patrons, I will say that we were on the classy end of the white trash spectrum. All I can say is WOW! I wanted to take some covert pics but didn't know what would happen if they caught me...and I have a strong fear of toothless strangers rubbing their B.O. and hair grease on me so I chose to save my photography for the grand stands!

Vickie enjoying a drink, and me enjoying a Diet Coke...YUM!

The boys sporting their Dale Jr. Gear.

Jay and I tailgating before the big race. He hates my aviator sunglasses so I wear them all the time!

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

I am not one to say this, but Jaimie Oliver is a truly amazing person with a great mission. If you have 20 minutes, his acceptance speech for his TED award is great and gives you just a glimps of what he is trying to do here in the U.S. Or, if you are availabe Friday nights 9/8 central (which I am sadly because I have no life), check out his show "Food Revolution" on ABC. It's amazing what we don't know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIwrV5e6fMY

25%...GONE!!!

What is 25% of 254.6 you might ask? Well, quite literally it is 63.7-ish, but for me it is a new life.

A few weeks ago, after a weigh-in, I noticed that had lost 25% of my total body weight since starting the HMR program! Twenty-one weeks....just over 5 months....has completely changed me. If you would have asked me how well I thought I would do in less than 6 months, I don't know that I could have looked you in the eye and told you that a forth of my body would be gone. I have never been on an "easy" diet, and I won't lie to you and say that HRM has been easy, but it definitely hasn't been as difficult as any other diet I have been on....and there have been plenty!!!

Currently, I am struggling with the lack of variety. Don't get me wrong, there are quite a few entrees to choose from and you can create some great meals by adding fruits and vegetables, but I personally only like about 6 of the entrees, and I believe I have attempted every veggie combination imaginable!!! The point is, while it can be challenging a times, I am still losing weight which is the overall goal.

My mind has been recently leaning towards going into "maitenance" or the newly-named "phase-two" of the program. While many people still lose weight in this phase, it is more about re-educating yourself on how to eat and what to eat. The program consists of reintroducing lean proteins, whole grains, and low fat dairy back into your diet. I am going to stick it out in phase one for a bit longer, but this is going to be my next step....or I may die of a carrot overdose!

UPDATE: Insanity Workout

Just a quick note to say that I started the Insanity workout yesterday, and it is exactly that...INSANE! I can barely walk today and I am afraid for disc 2!!! If I can actually make it through this 60-day program I am positive that my body will change....pain only makes you stronger, right....RIGHT????

Wish me luck...I will need it!

Recent Shopping Trips

Engagement Photo Shoot Outfit:

I was lucky enough to have my maid of honor and best friend, Laurie, visit me in Omaha a few weeks back. She flew in from D.C. for a whirlwind weekend of wedding planning. Saturday we went to a local bridal store to find her bridesmaid dress, which we did successfully. We also ventured to Archiver's (AKA the scariest place on earth) where we befriended one of employees who offered to assist me in my invitation-making (SCORE!). We scoped out some bachelorette venues and had a salsa party that night. Not dancing...actual salsa. I have to take pleasure in the condiments I am allowed to eat!!!

Sunday we ran a few errands including looking for an outfit for my upcoming engagement photo shoot with Jay. I am still shopping at Lane Bryant, but am almost out of the plus sizes. With Laurie's expertise, I was able to put together a unique outfit to wear in May when we take our photos.

Thanks Laurie for all of your help!!! It was great seeing you!

SWIMMING SUIT SEASON!!!:

I know we're not there yet, as Omaha still has snow on the ground, but Jay and I will be in sunny Arizona in less than a month to visit his parents. My stomach as been in knots of anxiety due to the looming trip to find a swimming suit. This is a task that I have avoided at all cost, and I was not looking forward to it at all. I know I have lost weight, but I have NEVER looked good in a swimming suit and I probably never will. The only reason I am putting myself through this torture is because Jay broke my last swimming suit (that I bought in 2004!) when we were in Vegas last fall. Mind you, that swimming suit was entirely black...the color that hides all!!! Let's face it...I will never been wearing a bikini but I needed something to get me through. I refused to spend a lot of money, and did not want to try anything on so my purchase decision was made as we were going from the electronics section to the cosmetics in Target. I grabbed the one suit I could find that would cover me and didn't look like a Hawaiian acid trip, and I shoved it in my cart.

I'm going to apologize because I know this is not a Sports Illustrated level photo op, and I am most DEFINITELY not a super model, but I'm putting it out there because it's progress...plain and simple. I would have NEVER dared to post a picture of me in my swimming suit before, and while I still see the cottage cheese in my legs, it's only going to get better from here. Bring it on summer!

Under 200!!!!

Yesterday was a proud day for me. While it came one week later that I would have liked, I was officially under 200 lbs at my weigh-in last night! I know being in the 100's doesn't make me skinny, but it has been 10 years since I have been here so I'm celebrating!!! Not with the standard Bacardi w/ Diet Coke, but instead I chowed down on two Benefit Bars!!! Kind of sad!

The reason I had hoped to be under the big 2-0-0 last week was because I was spending the weekend in TRF attempting to find a wedding dress. I wasn't quite there, but I was successful! Below is a picture of the dress I chose. What is super suprising to me is that when I look at this picture...I don't have a lot of things to be critical of! Thinking of how different the experience would have been had I tried on dresses 4 months ago is crazy. I'm sure I wouldn't have fit into half of the dresses, and viewing the pictures probably would have brought tears to my eyes because of all the flaws I would have seen. There is still work to be done, but I am so happy with the results I have had thus far, and look forward to seeing how much more I can lose!

Making the Heartland Proud

Below is a link to a spot on our local Fox station about the HMR program I am on, and how it came to be in Omaha. Enjoy!

Dr. Weight Loss

Insanity 60-Day Total Body Conditioning Program

So...today I made the executive decision to order a workout DVD. My only other experience with workout DVD's was in college when I ordered Power 90. I had some success with this program, but didn't give it 100% and thus was not "ripped in 90 days." The video I ordered today is from the same company as Power 90, but is called INSANITY. I'm pretty sure I have lost my mind because personal trainers are giving reviews stating that this is the hardest cardio program they have ever seen. The video is full of people squatting, jumping and doing push-ups in a puddle of thier own sweat. I might die, but I figured this is the perfect time to test my physical and mental stamina! It should be arriving in the next week or so. I will keep you posted!

Quickly approaching the big 5-0!

I am two weeks into the second chapter of my weigh loss journey, and as of last night my total weight loss was at 49.5! I am one bowel movement away from hitting 50 lbs...how crazy (and disgusting) is that?

This past week has been such a motivating week for me. Many of my co-workers have given me compliments and I actually was able to encourage a woman who came into the weight management bldg to join. She was very hesitant, and had the same look of self-doubt that I once had. When she asked how much I had lost in 14 weeks and I told her 47.7 lbs (this was prior to my weigh-in) her jaw dropped and she told me that she loved me! haha! She immediately changed her attitude and said that she was going to join and she was going to lose the weight too!

So many changes have occurred in the last few months and it is crazy how losing weight can seriously change your entire life. I remember always dreaming of wearing a beautiful wedding dress, but worried about having to find one that would hide all my flaws. I am now looking forward to trying on all the different styles and picking out the perfect dress, and not worrying about my weight. Or at least, not as much! I am pumped to buy a swimming suit for our honeymoon to Jamaica....THAT has NEVER happened! I may even by 2 or 3!

While I don't think my personality has changed one bit, I do think my outlook has. I was never Debbie-Depression, but I did get down on myself from time to time. I have realized that I am in control of my health, if nothing else. I have the power to change the way I look and feel, and I don't have any more excuses. And believe me...I had more excuses than I would like to admit!

Long story short, I am almost 50 lbs down, and I know that I will look back on this post in the next months and be even further along! More to come...

12 Weeks Down...12 More to Go!

Well hello friends!

I am happy to say that I SUCCESSFULLY completed my first 12-week core weight management program yesterday!!! I cannot believe how much change I have made in 12 "short" weeks. I remember being absolutely fine with not exercising for weeks (okay months!) at a time, and now I work out almost every single day. I still hate it, but at least I have learned to live with it.

I also had a revelation yesterday. The weight that is on my drivers license is now ACCURATE....that has NEVER happened. I'm so excited I'm thinking about going to get another one just so I can take another 30 lbs off of it!

In the spirit of new beginnings and starting fresh, I am giving full disclosure to my pre and post stats, along with the hot pics! haha! Enjoy!

Start Weight: 254.6 lbs

End Weight: 210.9 lbs

Weight Change: 43.7 lbs

Start Waist Measurement: 45 in

End Waist Measurement: 40.5 in (37 according my my tape measure!)

Waist Measurement Change: 4.5 in

Start Cholesterol: 308 (yikes!)

End Cholesterol: 225

Cholesterol Change: 83

Start Triglycerides: 525 (Yikes Again!)

End Triglycerides: 219

Triglycerides Change: 306

Start LDL (bad cholesterol): over 400

End LDL: 137

LDL Change: Over 263

I just want to say that I am very lucky to have a wonderful support system, including my future husband, friends and family. So, thank you for all of your help!

Teri

BeforeAfter

Late night thoughts...

As I sit awake at 3-fricken-AM, stressing about the wedding, I realized that a lot of my old habits with food have begun to change. Believe me, this is a good thing!

I worked from home today due to the icy roads, and this made me think back to days in the past when I was home from work. Most of the day would have been spent sitting in front of the TV, munching mindlessly on the high-fat foods that were usually reserved for Jay. For some reason I thought that because I was home sick, that this somehow negated all calories consumed. Today was very different. While I did feel the need to munch, I instead chose fruits and extra shakes. It is strange to think that me, Teri Krogstad-super snacker extraordinaire, is now turning to an apple to feed my cravings! Crazy right?

I also think how the stress from this wedding would previously have led to thousands of extra calories from food that I "deserved" because I was so stressed. Note to past-self, anxiety does not cancel out a bottle of wine and an entire pizza. It also does not miraculously burn extra calories...shocking!

Even tonight, I am sitting on the couch and I am hungry, but I am not struggling to keep myself out of "Jay's cupboard" that is full of candy, chips, nuts and many other fatty confections. How things have changed!

Enough pre-dawn ranting...I need sleep!

Happy 2010! It's going to be a great year!

Since our engagement, I have been frantically planning a wedding that doesn't occur for another 10 months....crazy right! I know! I guess this very short post is just to let everyone know that I am still on the program and doing well. I am officially down 34.6 lbs! People are finally starting to notice the change and I am too. I am wearing jeans that I haven't worn in 5+ years and I genuinely feel good. I still have a long way to go, but yesterday I realized that I am only 40 lbs away from my goal weight. I know that that may seem like a lot to most people, but it seems so much easier than saying I have 70+ lbs to lose. In the past, that statement alone was crushing enough to halt any ambition to even start a diet. Now, knowing I am almost half way there is so motivating! I have 3 weeks remaining in my 12 week core program, and I plan to join another ongoing program after that. Wish me luck!